At husking time the tassel fades <br />To brown above the yellow blades, <br /> Whose rustling sheath enswathes the corn <br /> That bursts its chrysalis in scorn <br />Longer to lie in prison shades. <br /> <br />Among the merry lads and maids <br />The creaking ox-cart slowly wades <br />Twixt stalks and stubble, sacked and torn <br />At husking time. <br /> <br />The prying pilot crow persuades <br />The flock to join in thieving raids; <br />The sly racoon with craft inborn <br />His portion steals; from plenty's horn <br />His pouch the saucy chipmunk lades <br />At husking time.<br /><br />Emily Pauline Johnson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/at-husking-time/
